Exports to Afghanistan and Pakistan hindered by visa issuances

To recover lost exports to Pakistan and Afghanistan, visa issuances for the region must be loosened, stated an association.
The Korea International Trade Association (KITA) suggested on January 16 that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) relax the visa issuance process for buyers from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
KITA revealed in a report that exports to Afghanistan shrank deeply after the 9.11 US terror attack because Afghanis have been required to obtain preliminary approval from MOFAT and the Ministry of Justice to get entry visas. Strict visa issuances prohibit buyers from entering Korea deteriorating exports, said the association.

Entry visas have been granted to Pakistanis and Afghanis on a limited basis for the sake of protecting people from possible terrorist attacks. Although Korea has not been targeted by terrorists, the presence of the American eighth army in Korea could pose as an invitation to terrorists for future attacks.
Pakistanis could enter Korea without visas prior to the 9.11 attacks. However, since the attacks, they have been required to obtain entry visa from a Korean embassy. Afghanis have always had to obtain entry visas. After the attacks, however, Afghanis have had to obtain preliminary approval from MOFAT or the Ministry of Justice prior to applying for a visa.
Preliminary approval involves verifying the truth or falsity of documents, sometimes taking more than a month, said the association.
Exports to Afghanistan increased by 179.5% and to Pakistan by 19.4% in 2000.
However, many buyers from these areas usually bought goods directly with cash, increasing export amounts 10 times more than those that were cleared by customs.
The 9.11 attacks drove exports to Afghanistan and Pakistan down by 40.8% and 28%, respectively, during October and November in 2001 compared to the same period of last year.